The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-26
STEWARDS BONES.
sUpr. WALLING TELLS HOW THEY WERE
STOLEN.
The Thieves Communicate with Judge
Hilton Through Postmaster Jones
S25O,OOO Demanded for the Remains,
Which Are Finally Turned Over for
$4,000.

New York. Oct. 2e-.The mystery which
has so long enveloped the fate OF the body
of the millionaire dry goods dealer Alexander
T. Stewart, forms the subject of chapter IN
Superintendent George W. Walllng's book,
1.-THE Recollections of New York Chief OF
Police, which is soon to be published. The
ex-superinteudent processes to give the only
true story of the stealing of the BODY, and
also alleges that the body was subsequently
returned to representatives of Judge Hilton.
l. The remains were first buried in st. Marks
Church yard, corner of Second avenue and
Tenth street, in an underground vault, the
entrance to which was covered by tiagstone,
which in turn was scdded over with the sur
rounding surface SO there was no outward
evidence of its location.
| Judge Hilton discovered evidences that
the vault had been tempered with and set a
| watch As nothing further TRANSFERRED the
watch was withdrawn. and three nights later,
| that is on the night OF Nov. e, or the morn
remains stolen. The Judge was firmly OF the
opinion that the sexton and his assistant had
knowledge of the transaction, but this was
never shown. Tile Judge at once offered q re-
ward of S25, 900 for the return OF the body
and the conviction OF the grave rODbers,
THE FIRST cLEw
came from Gen. Patrick jones', eX-post-
master OF New York, who notified Walllng
that an ex-soldier who had served under HIM
caimed to know something about the
Stewart body, and with proper encourage
would give Information leading e its
the offer to Judge Hilton, who declared he
would nerer pay one cent for Mr.. Stewards
bones unless they came accompanied by the
| thieves in irons.
Gen. Jones was perslstant ana vented W
work up the case and arrange tor buying the
body. He showed letters from the thieves,
and few days later gave to the police
package expressed to him from Boston, con;
tanning coffin plate, which was identified
To complete their Identification the rob
bers sent piece of paper that fitted exactly
the hole in the velvet cover Of the coffin, cut
out by the thieves when the body was re-
moved. This is now in the hands Of Sexton
Judge Hilton remained nnalterable and the
case was dropped by the authorities. but con,
tinued by private detectives. Mrs, Stewart
differed with her counsel and strongly wished
TO RECOVER THE BODY.
Learning this fact the robbers opened cor:
respondence with her directly. NO trace OF
the body or thieves was found until January,
1882.
When Gen. Jones called at the headauar-
ters, he brought with. him parcel which
contained the silver knobs and several Of the
handles belonging 70 the coffin in which the
body had been buried. He also showed some
letters which he had received. They pur;;
ported to have been written in Canada, and
were signed by Henry G. Roman. 80,
With the first letter hundred dollar-blll
was inclosed as retainer for him to act as
attorney for the return Of the body upon the
payment of $3.50, 900. The letter then went
on to tell the hour at which the hody; was ;
taken, how it was inelosed in q ,zlnc-llned
trunk and taken to Canada and buried. II
said the
FEATURES WE'RE PERFECTLY PRESERVED,
except the eyes. This was the letter. which
inclOsed the bit of paper, corresponding to
the size OF the hole in the velvet. and prom.
ised, il further proof was required, 70 send
the coffin plate upon the insestion in the New
P.CouEsel."
This was done, and unde. date of Boston,
Jan. 81, 1879, O. letter, came saying the
PLATE was fse@ t. 1be
border, The plate was received and 7identi'
fed. Gen. Jones was instructed, in case
the relatives were ready to negotiate for the
remains to insert this personal IN the Herald
'Canada-Wiil do business. Counsel"
This was done at Judge Hiltons request
The reply which came from Boston on the
] tn OF February Set forth the terms upon
which the body would be restored. They
/. The amount to be paid shall be $780,.
600.
2. The body will be delivered to yourself
and Judge, Hilton within twenty-tive miles OF
the City of Montreal, and no other person
81 ali be present.
3. The money to be placed in your hand OF
under your control until Judge Hilton ii
fully satisfied, when you will deliver it to my
representative. H
4. Both parties to naintaic forever un
h-.Ct Sifp ard 70 ba
Judge Hilton refused to agree to the term!
proposed, and further declined to negot att
through the, medium OF personals" no
maine Was then written to, Gen Jones in
reply was soon received, ordering Mr.. Jones
to break off all communication with Judge
Hilton and open negotiations with Mrs
Stewart.
No notice was taken of this request, but il
March Judge Hilton made an ouer Of $50,
OO0 for the body. Gen. Jones made the fac
} known to-. Ronaine, who respectfully bu
, firmly declined. This c.osed the correspond
ence.
, THE ROBBERS BECOMING DISCOURAGED z
now offered to selhthe body for 81 90, 900
Mrs. Stewart was willing; and ordered he
representatives to pay the amount. The,
> delayed matters until the figure was reduced
, to $40, 900, which was accepted.
' Tho conditions OF delivery were severe
1 The messenger with the money was to leav
/ new 1ofK Clty at q p M. aione, IN a one
horse wagon, and drive into Westcheste
: county, along a lonely road. which WAS indi
Gated on map sent by the thieves. som
: time before morning. Ii the man WAS actin'
' in good faith, and was. mot accompanied o
! followed by detectives, he would be met an,
given further directions.
A. young relative of Mrs. Stewart I'm
: dertook the hazardous errand.
! Two or three times during the night he wa
E certain that he WAS closely watched, but i
was 3 O'Clock when masked horseman rod
1 up, gave the signal agreed on, and turned
q the buggy up lonely lane.
The strange visitor here left him, directin,
him to drive on. At the end of another mil
, he became aware that another wagon WI
/ blocking the way. He paused A masked
man promptly appeared and brought forwar
e bag to his buggy, saying,